Anecdotal evidence of the Pill causing depression is wide spread and, although I have no scientific proof, I am one of those who definitely thinks the Pill was responsible for my downturn mood… For me, I didn’t notice mood problems while I was on the Pill – I took Yasmin for ten years – but it was a completely different story when I came off it last year. With no synthetic hormones racing through my body, suddenly my anxiety escalated and my moods worsened. I went to my doctor to discuss what I could do, thinking I’d have to go back on the Pill. But I was advised that no, it was best to sort out the hormone situation and let my body find its natural rhythm again. So I did a complete adrenal overhaul. The healing took almost six months, but I can say that I feel a thousand percent better than I even did on the Pill. If only I’d known how hard it was going to be to come off it, I might have thought more seriously before starting. And I know I’m not the only one with this kind of story. The Pill was once deemed a miracle drug, allowing girls to take complete control over their bodies. But this little wonder drug that we put into our bodies to eradicate PMS symptoms, heal our skin problems and to keep babies at bay – seems to have a lot more to answer for. Over the past few years, more and more reports are being published about the very serious side effects of the Pill, specifically Yasmin and it’s sister pill Yaz. These are two that are being connected to blood clots (Medical Journal in October 2011 stated Yaz and Yasmin users experienced twice as much blood clot risk as women who used older birth control pills), embolisms, deep vain thrombosis, heart attacks and strokes in otherwise perfectly healthy females. According to the pharmaceutical company who makes Yasmin and Yaz, Bayer, as of September 2013 it has settled 6,760 law cases by uses and/or their families for $1.4 billion for things relating to side effects of these Pills. Thousands more are still pending in state and federal courts nationwide. Closer to home, in Australia, the TGA is in a battle as to whether the Pill should be banned in Australia and are at least asking for packets to come with more severe warnings, like cigarette packaging.

Then there’s my friend Harriet who suffered a 14cm blood clot across two veins in 2007. She was taking Yasmin at the time and her doctor ordered her off it straight away. She goes into more detail here if you’re interested in reading the full story. So what does all this mean? Should you just never go on the Pill? Should you go off it? Well that is a choice only you can make. However, it’s one I recommend you don’t make quickly or lightly. Start by doing further research into the Pill and your other options, and then I recommend talking to your doctor - or even a couple of different doctors to get some different opinions. Ask lots of questions, especially if you’re looking at a prescribed drug option, such as: what are the short-term and long-term side effects, what does the Pill actually do to my body, what happens if I want to come off the Pill and what are my other options? But if I had my choice, I’d take all of my clients off the Pill to allow their bodies to regulate their cycles and start to ovulate again. Big call, I know. But there are diet, supplement and botanical programs that can assist with PMS and skin problems that are also natural and sustainable and wont put you at risk of depression, or even worse, stroke. Over the next two weeks, I’m going to be outlining these further in case you do want to come off the Pill and need a little help! And what about preventing unplanned pregnancy? Condoms! They’re cheap, safe and are not only 98% effective when used perfectly, but also prevent most STIs that the Pill can’t assist you with. Plus it evens out the responsibility for both sexes. We tend to take for granted that our doctors and pharmaceutical companies have our best interests at heart, when all too often it’s the bottom line that really matters. For those who missed this excellent article the first time around, it’s definitely worth the read. Warning: you should always seek medical advice from a doctor when it comes to your body. This is just my opinion as a qualified nutritionist and having been on the Pill for 10 years.